Warriors know what they have in Steve Kerr

OAKLAND -- Steve Kerr believes the most important thing he's learned in sports is that the relationship between the coach, general manager and owner determines how an organization overcomes adversity.

So during his interview with the Warriors, Kerr shared how he could have handled relationships differently while serving as general manager in Phoenix. He said co-owner Joe Lacob and general manager Bob Myers admitted their own mistakes.

Kerr at his news conference Tuesday had Myers beside him on the dais and Lacob seated in the front row looking satisfied two weeks after a messy divorce as they fired Mark Jackson after back-to-back playoff appearances.

Golden State Warriors new head coach Steve Kerr smiles during a press conference at the Warriors' practice facility in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

"I've seen it firsthand where in the organizations where there was a lot of success, those relationships were really sound and solid, and that's something that I know we're going to have here and we're going to work towards," Kerr said.

Myers recalled how when he was an agent he had good dealings while Kerr was with the Suns.

"I knew that what I was getting was the truth, and you were getting someone on the other end of the phone that understood it was important for all sides to be aligned for you to have success," Myers said.

The Warriors fell in love with Kerr during a three-hour interview in Oklahoma City the Tuesday after firing Jackson, with Lacob raving about his preparation and adding, "He knocked the socks off everybody."

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Kerr even left Warriors officials with a 16-page document for their perusal during the flight home that outlined his philosophies. A former Chicago Bulls sharpshooter who believes Stephen Curry is the best shooter he's ever seen, Kerr wants to take pressure off the Warriors star with a free-flowing offense that emphasizes ball movement.

It was an interview that the Warriors at one point believed might not happen, with Myers saying Kerr rebuffed them initially and told the team to look at others.

Kerr was focused on reuniting with former mentor Phil Jackson and becoming the New York Knicks' coach. But while Kerr wanted to meet in person with his family before making a decision, he got sidetracked while broadcasting playoff games for TNT. The San Diego resident reconsidered and decided to interview with the Warriors.

"I felt like it was the girl you're always asking out on a date, and she just keeps saying no, and finally she says yes, and you're surprised," Myers said, laughing.

"For us, it wasn't really important why it changed."

Myers said the five-time NBA champion answered an interview question about his lack of coaching experience not by shying away, but saying he would surround himself with people who could help him get better as a coach.

Kerr said he wanted some head coaching experience on his assistant coaching staff and nobody who would be a yes man.

"It was confidence combined with humility, and we love that combination of Steve," Myers said.

Kerr conceded that while he was confident he would get comfortable as a coach, it would take some time. At least one Warriors player felt similarly.

"They say he's ready for the job, but it will be interesting," center Andrew Bogut told a radio station in his native Australia. "There will be some obviously teething problems along the way just to hold your own."

Kerr said the reception he's received from players has been "fantastic." He stopped short of agreeing with Mark Jackson's contention in the wake of his firing that the team was "championship-caliber," saying instead it was "very good."

"Let's put together a strong team that can win and play on both sides of the ball, which the Warriors have established, but can have a shot year after year and be consistent," Kerr said, adding that the goal wasn't a certain number of wins.

"Everybody on the management side is on board with that vision of we've got a chance to be really good for the next decade. Let's go take a swing at it every year."

Said Lacob: "I think Steve said it so well. This is not just about next year. It's about the next five to 10 years. Our goal ultimately is to win a championship. Let's not forget that. I don't think that Bob or Steve is unaware of that. They all know that. We want that. I want that, and we're not going to stop until we get it. And we will get it."